June 8, 2007

Culling of birds begins

Star: SUNGAI BULOH: All poultry and even birds within a one kilometre radius of the avian flu outbreak point in Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir here are being destroyed, said Datuk Mah Siew Keong.
The Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries Minister said the ministry was also conducting surveillance over a 10km radius from the point of origin to ascertain if other poultry had contracted the virus.
The source of the H5N1 virus, however, has not been established.
“As at noon yesterday, more than 2,000 poultry have been culled and we are positive that the remaining 4,000 poultry within the one kilometre radius will be destroyed in two days.
“We are not taking any chances. There are 120 staff members including policemen, Rela members and Veterinary Services Department officers working to finish the task soon,” said Mah when he visited the area yesterday.
Mah said the poultry identified outside the 1km radius would be tested for the virus and culled if they tested positive for the virus.
He said that the co-operation from villagers was vital and urged those who were hiding their poultry or prized birds to surrender them.
“This has been confirmed as an isolated case and the situation is under control but we still need to be absolutely sure we’re not overlooking anything,” he said, adding that these people could be fined.
Mah also gave an assurance that due compensation would be given for their losses. He said booths would be set up for villagers to claim their losses on the spot.
Compensation would range from 20 sen to RM10. Among the compensation rates are 20 sen for each chicken egg destroyed, RM9.50 for each chicken and RM10 for each duck and goose.
In Banting, suppliers and dealers of broiler chicken and eggs had been told to not “make use” of the detection of the H5N1 virus as an excuse to increase prices.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the birds affected by this were mainly those reared on a small scale by villagers and no major farms had been affected.
“The supply of chicken and eggs in the state is not affected by the virus so I hope suppliers and dealers will not take advantage of the situation and increase prices to make quick gains,” he told reporters after attending the People Complaints Inventory.